Wales is an area that is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and awe inspiring landscapes. However, it isn’t just Mother Nature’s creations that are worth seeing with there also being a plethora of beautiful villages in Wales which should be on anyone’s to do list.

To celebrate our great nation, we thought we’d put together a list of the most beautiful villages in Wales that you may wish to visit on your next visit to Tan Rallt Holiday Park. Let’s start off with one that is so spectacular, that it inspired a popular TV show…

1. Portmeirion

Designed and built by Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, Portmeirion was intended to pay homage to the stylings of Mediterranean villages. In particular those in Italy, with many believing that Portmeirion was based upon the fishing village of Portofino on the Italian Riviera.

From the moment you set foot in the village, you will immediately feel as if you have been transported overseas, with its lush woodlands, mix of bright colours and use of deliberately fanciful architecture. You can wander around the quirky streets, visit some of the stores or get a guided tour to better understand the village and its history.

So inspirational is the village that it has gone on to be the filming location of choice for popular TV shows. This includes the 1960’s sci-fi series ‘The Prisoner’ starring Patrick McGoohan.

2. Abersoch

Located just a short drive away from our sister resort, Gimblet Rock Holiday Park, is the seaside village of Abersoch. With its golden sands, clean waters and wide array of nearby facilities, Abersoch beach is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional British day out at the seaside. 

However, the village has also gone on to become a mecca for watersports enthusiasts, with thousands of people heading to Abersoch throughout the year to try their hand at surfing, paddleboarding, wild swimming and sailing. This is reflected by the shops that are located on the main high street, which are mostly made up of brands closely associated with such activities such as Animal, Crew Clothing and FatFace. 

If you are looking to take up a watersport for the first time, then you will also find plenty of tutors and equipment providers in the village who will be more than happy to help you gain all the skills you need to take to the seas under your own steam. 

3. Betws-y-Coed

Generally thought of as the gateway to Snowdonia, the beautiful Welsh village of Betws-y-Coed is well worth a visit the next time you are staying at Tan Rallt Holiday Park. It has a magical feel about it, with its stone bridges, dense forests and a charming riverside setting. 

All of these wonders are best enjoyed on one of the many walks in Betws-y-Coed, with one of the most popular routes taking in the breathtaking Swallow Falls waterfall which is located roughly a mile east of the main village centre. 

Apart from walking, another pastime that is very popular here is fishing with the Betws-y-Coed Anglers Club having three lakes in the heart of the forest which are filled with the likes of Salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout. 

4. Beddgelert

The village of Beddgelert is famous for its natural beauty, but will forever be associated with the legend of Gelert the dog whose grave is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the village.

For those who don’t know the story, Gelert was the dog of the mediaeval Welsh Prince Llewelyn the Great. Having gone out hunting one day, the Prince returned to home to find his infant son's room tarnished, with the cot upside down and blood smeared throughout the area. Gelert approached his master with blood around his mouth and the Prince immediately stabbed him in the heart having naturally assumed that the dog had killed his son. Only then did he hear his son cry and find the body of a wolf which Gelert had bravely killed in order to save the child.

The Prince was filled with remorse and decided to build a large tomb for the dog so that the people of the region could hear of the bravery that his companion had shown and the mistake that he himself had made in assuming the worst. 

Apart from visiting Gelert’s grave, another popular attraction in the village is the Sygun Copper Mine which was the epicentre of industry in the region during the Victorian period when it was one of the main suppliers of minerals in Wales.

5. Llanberis

As with many of the other villages in Wales which have been mentioned so far, Llanberis offers plenty of walking routes where tourists can enjoy majestic views. This includes Snowdon, with the foot of the country’s largest mountain being accessible from the village. 

However, there are also plenty of attractions to visit in Llanberis. This includes the fascinating National Slate Museum which provides a fascinating insight into the lives of those who worked in this disused quarry during the Victorian era. 

Families meanwhile will love the Llanberis Lake Railway, a miniature steam train which completes a 5 mile journey taking in some of the village's most notable landmarks. This includes Padarn Lake and Dolbadarn Castle.